Inspecting device



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' msrscrm; DEVICE Filed March 1-, 1941 I3 Sheets4heet 2 /IVVENTOK HA RR Y W HOFFMAN Arron/vs YJ' May 11, 1943. H. w. HOFFMAN 2,318,356

' INSPECTING DEVICE I Filed March 1, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet s AV VENTOE HARE Y W/10FFA4AN a, final @101 M May 11, 1943. H. w. HOFFMAN INSPECIING DEVICE 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed larch 1, 1941 /NVENTOE HARRY W HOFFMAN f! 00-4 I ArronvvsYr mm H L nv w m m 2 w u. v v .n 1 v w m a n l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 H. w. HOFFMAN msrncnue DEVICE Filed larch 1, 1941 May 11,1943.

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INSPECTING DEVICE Filed larch 1. 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 1o I" K KZ- K1 5 I53 2 i /-I8Z i P103 I85 I84. 25 E55:

lNVENTOB .lilkEYW/fOFFMAN mum May 11, 1943. H. w. HOFFMAN I INSPECTING DEVICE 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed larch l, 1941 K4 STATION-C /)VVENTO fiAeeY W HOFFMAN 3 fall, 0L4 ke-4A Dlxmkss 5TATION JTNKNEY:

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' INSPBCTING DEVICE Filed larch 1. 1941 13 Shets-Sheet 12 m A n ix 29 2KB tam N M twtimEw n Bib E W \N K M am z B ,flo l. m b Arraxusr:

Patented May 11, 1943 NT OFFICE I INSPECTING DEVICE Harry William Hoflman,

to Federal Cartridge Co Anoka, Mimi, assignor rporation,

Minneapolis,

Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application March 1, 1941, Serial No. 381,406 16 Claims. (Cl. 209-82) This invention relates to a method ofv and machine for automatically inspecting machined made parts, such as cylindrical or spherical parts, an example of which is the metal cup of a shot gun shell. Heretofore inspection of such small parts has for the most part been done manually, but the degree of inspection is in many instances so fine that defective parts are often overlooked.

Thus in the case of shot gun shell cups, defeetive ones are often overlooked and assembled with roller paper cylinders into shells. When this occurs and the defective cup, so assembled, is finally discovered, the cost of discarding the assembled defective shell is many times that of discarding the metal cup itself. Similarly in other industries inspection of individual parts is of vital importance since, after assembly into ly increased. many fold.

and reject any part found to be defective.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an automatic inspection mechanism having a number of inspection stations, each capable of a pable of rejecting parts which do not fulfill established conditions of excellence, and also to Provide in such mechanism instrumentalitles for progressively submitting the parts being tested for inspection at such stations.

Another object is the provision of a photoelectric responsive mechanism wherein a beam of light is reflected from a portion of the surface of the part undergoing examination and responsive mechanism for ejecting any part thus found to be defective.

Still another object is the provision of such means for inspection of a' portion of the surface of a hollow part, as a metal cup for-a shot gun shell, by means of light directed on said surface from a suitable light source and reflected into a photo-electric cell, which cell forms part of a mechanism for passing or rejecting cups depending on whether light in sufiicient quantity or of sufiicient steadiness is so reflected.

It is another object of the invention to provide. an automatic machine for feeding and inspecting parts in one or more particulars at one or more inspection stations and to provide means for discarding defective parts, i

It is also an object of the invention to provide at one or more points of inspection, means for handling the object undergoing inspection so that the inspection is made over a completed surparts in one ormore ways prescribed inspection and ca- Figure 4, certain of the more costly units, the rejection cost is frequentface; to provide also means for inspecting at one position and for rejecting the part, if defective, at another position.

These and other objects, as will hereafter appear, are accomplished by this, invention which is fullydescribed in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation as viewed from the right'side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial enlarged vertical section on theline 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure .4'is an enlarged vertical. section generally on the line 4-4 of Figure'3. The section line also being shown at 4-4 in Figure 9. In

Part ejecting mechanisms are shown in one condition" of operation. Figure' 5 is a partial vertical section similar to Figure 4 but with the parts in a condition of operation prior to that conditionshown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is similar to Figures 4 and 5, showing the parts in condition of operation subsequent to that shown in Figure 4. 4

Figure 7 is a plan view in section taken along the line l! of Figure Figure 8 is a plan view the line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a plan view, ly in section, and showing one of the parts (hereinafter known as the Geneva dial) removed.

Figure .10 is an enlarged partial vertical section on the line |0Ill of Figure 8. This view shows the cup'ieeding mechanism.

Figure 11 is an enlarged partial vertical section on the line llof Figure 7. This view shows the dial lock mechanism, when used.

Figure 3 12 is an enlarged partial vertical section on the line I 2-l2 of Figure 7, showing the spinner mechanism raised for rotating the part undergoing inspection.

Figure 13 is similar to Figure 12 but shows an enlarged fragment in section through the top showing the spinner pin mechanism, with the mechanism in the same condition as in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is similar to Figure 13 but shows spinner mechanism lowered from the part being inspected.

Figure 15 is a shell out).

Figure 16 is an enlarged view partly schematic in section of a portion of the Geneva dial showing a shot gun shell cup in place thereon and the photo-electrical optical system at inspecting station A, wherein'the cup is inspected for proper piercing of the cup ior receiving the primer cap.

Figure 17 is an enlarged schematic view partly in vertical sections showing a shotgun shell cup and photo-electric at inspecting station B whereat the cup is mspected for length and for chamfer (but not uniformity of chamfer) in section taken along partly schematic, parttop plan view of a shot gun cell optical inspection system a Figure 18 is an enlarged schematic view partly in vertical section showing a shotgun shell cup and photo-electric. cell optical inspection system at inspecting station C whereat the cup is inspected for knurl and completeness (uniformity) of'knurl.

Figure 19 is an enlarged schematic view partly in vertical section showing a shotgun shell cup and photo-electric cell optical inspection system at inspection station D, whereat the cup is inspected for irregularity of knurl, bad edge or bent edge.

Figure 20 is a detailed'section in elevation of the discharge opening of station A, taken along the line 20-20 of Figure 9.

Figure 21 is a wiring diagram of the power and photo-electric cell circuits used in conjunction with inspection stations A and B.

Figure 22 is a wiringdiagram of the power and photo-electric cell circuits used in conjunction with inspection stations Cand D.

GENERAL PLAN or INSPECTION The illustrated embodiment of the invention is composed generally of a machine for receiving and moving the parts undergoing inspection step by step through a plurality of stations, and then discharging the part. Throughout the movement of the part in the machine it is subjected to ,one or more inspections, four being here illustrated. At or near each station the part there undergoing inspection is either passed or rejected according to whether it is fit or unfit.

In the illustrated embodiment the four inspecting stations are as follows:

Station A.-The part, here illustrated as a shot gun shell cup is inspected for primer cap aperture, both. for the sufliciency and the existence of the aperture. At this station the part is not rotated and the photo-electric response is based upon sufliciency of light passed through the primer cup aperture. The photocell circuit is of the AB type shown in Figure 21.

Station B.-Inspects for "too long or too short conditions of the cup sidewall and for the existence (but not regularity) of the at the upper inner edge of the cup sidewall. At this station the cup is rotated and if the condition of the cup edge is satisfactory at at least a portion of the cup edge it is passed. The photocell circuit is of the AB type shown in Figure 21.

Station C.-Inspects for existency and regularity of the knurling of the cup. At this station the cup is rotated and if the knurl is satisfactory all around it is passed. "I'he photocell circuit is of the CD type shown in Figure 22 and is responsive to variations in light reflected from the part undergoing inspection, the part being rejected if the variations are of a predetermined amount.

Station D.-Inspects for fer, and "bent edge and bad edge. At this station too the cup is rotated and is rejected if the chamfer is of predetermined irregularity or the upper edge of the cup is bent or irregular. The photocell circuit is of the CD type and is responsive to irregularities in light reflected from the chamfered edge of the cup undergoing inspection.

At all of the stations the inspection is done by light at one position in the station and the photoregularity of cham The machine The embodiment of the inventions herein illustrated and described comprises a machine having a floor stand or base generally designated 20 upon which is bolted a subtable 2 I Above this is mounted a table 22 by means of spacer members 23, the latter being secured to the table and subtable by means of capscrews or the like. Be-

' neath the subtable 2 is a main shaft 24 journaled in. suitable bearings 25 and 26 and having gears 21 carried thereon, these gears being meshed with pinions 28 on drive shaft 29, Figure 7. The drive shaft is provided with a pulley 30 (Figure '7) driven by a belt 3|. The shaft 24 is the main shaft of the machine and serves to drive the various machine parts as will later appear.

The main shaft 24 is provided with a crank 24a, Figures 1 and 3, on which is mounted a connecting rod 40, the opposite end of this connecting rod being connected to a pivot 4| on a crosshead 42. The crosshead has v-shaped vertical edges slidably mounted in guideways 43, which are in turn secured to the spacer members 23 by means of capscrews 44, as shown in Figure '7.

To the crosshead 42 there is pinned a central vertical slidable operating rod 50, which passes through a vertical sleeve 5|, Figure 4. At the lower end of the sleeve there is a circular flange 52 through which passes capscrews 53 for securing it to the table 22. Within the upper end of sleeve 5| there is secured a bearing 54 through which slides the upper portion of the operating rod 50. The rod being thus guided near its upper and lower ends and joined to connecting rod 4|! reciprocates as the shart 24 rotates.

The Geneva dial and dTive.-For carrying the parts being inspected, here illustrated as shotgun shells, through the successive testing stations there is provided a Geneva dial Hi, which is mounted axially with respect to the operating rod 5|] and the sleeve 5|. The Geneva dial carries central, flanged, bearing retainer II in which ball bearing race 13 is filtted and held in place by rechamfer cell circuits and mechanisms eject the cup, if

unfit, at another position in the stations.

tamer plate 23L The inner race of bearing I3 is snugly fitted on sleeve 5| and thus maintains an accurate center of rotation for the Geneva dial.

The drive for the Geneva dial consists of a vertical shaft I4, Figures 3 and 8, which is journaled in a bearing housing generally designated 15 secured to the sub-table 2 The housing 15 has a 4-legged central portion and a lower end 16 which is accurately fitted into an opening on the subtable 2|. The shaft 14 is driven from the shaft 24 and at an equal speed by means of mitre gears 11 and 18 which are of equal size. At the upper axial alignment therewith there is a stub shaft 19, the shafts 14 and 19 both being pinned to a connecting sleeve 8|) which holds them in axial alignment. The connecting sleeve is journaled in a bearing 8|, secured to the underside of the table 22. On the shaft 19 and above bearing 8| there is a drive plate 85. The plate is centered on shaft 19 and is attached at the upper end of the sleeve by screws 86. Below the journal 8| there is a collar 81 held in place by setscrew 88.

Referring particularly to .Figure 8, itwill be seen that the drive plate 85 carries a pin having a roller 9| rotatably mounted thereon, the roller being adapted successively to engage the evenly spaced radial slots 92 in the Geneva dial I0. There are twenty-four slots 92 and they are accordingly l5 apart. During substantially onehalf turn of the Geneva drive shaft 14-19, the drive roller is in engagement with a slot 92, and

twenty-fourth of a complete revolution or 15, and

a between each advance is brought to a complete stop and is locked against rotation in the position shown in Figure 8, by 'the engagement of the end portion 19a of shaft 10, the part which is not cut away.

In the Geneva dial I there is a series of vertical openings I00, each of which is provided-with a ball bearing or other anti-friction bearing, the

inner race of which is adapted to receive metal cups undergoing inspection as shown in Figures 4, 8 and 9. The construction and operation of these details will later be described in greater detail.

' Cup feeding mechanisms-Referring to Figures 3, 8, 9 and 10, the metal cupsto be inspected are fed by gravity in the downwardly extending curved chute 00 to a level just below the table 22, the chute being terminated in the cup feed passage I in a block I08. The block I00 is fastened to the underside of the table 22 by means of screws, not shown, and carries an injector I0'l which is freely movable endwise in the passage I00. The injector IN is reciprocated once for each rotation of shafts 24 and It by means of a connecting rod IIO driven by a crank pin III on a crank disc-I I2, the latter being keyed to a vertical shaft I I0. The shaft I I0 is journaled in a bearing housing I I4 of the type shown at having an upper bearing portion I II, a lower bearing portion I I0a, the bearing housing I I4 being secured to sub-table 2I. The shafts 24 and II! carry identical mitre gears H0 and shaft II 0 is accordingly driven at the same speed as drive shaft 24.

The connecting rod I I0 carries a pin I I0a which serves to mount block IIOb slidably endwise in slot I'I0c of the injector I01. The block carries a spring IIO on rod Illa which is interposed be- A tween the block lb and the member I01.

into the Geneva dial openings, the cups which are moved under the dial openings by the injector I0'I. Thelift rod is guided at the top by means of a guideway I20 and at the bottom by means of a yoke I00, which extends down on each side of square collar I3I on shaft 24. The yoke I30 carries a cam follower roller I34 mounted on screw I00, the roller being positioned to ride upon cam I02 carried by-shaft 24, the entire lift rod being held down resiliently by spring I00. The follower I04 thus ridingon the face of the cam I02 operates the lift rod upand down.

The lift rod I20 rises and falls once on each revolution of the shaft 24 and the slide member I01 makes one forward movement at each stroke carrying the foremost metal cup Kin slide 00 to a position over the then lowered lift rod. The

lift rod then rises, engages the cup and lifts it 4 into place in opening I00 positioned to receive the cup, and holds the cup in the opening until the Geneva. dial begins to advance. Figure 10 shows the lift rod in its uppermost position, in which the very top of the rod is just flush with the bottom of the cup receiving openings I00 in the Geneva dial I0.

Concerning the timing: injector I0! is timed so as to bring a cup to the lifting position over lift rod I20 and to partly retract as the Geneva dial comes to a halt. The cam I02 is shaped so that it then lifts the rod I20 and raises the cup into the dial, while the dial is halted, and to hold the lifted cup-in'place as the dial begins to move away from the insert station bushing I20.

To prevent damage to the mechanism should one of the metal cups be caught by the feed mechanism during the lifting of the lift rod I20, the member I20a may optionally be provided with a resilient coupling suchas that shown in the drive of injector I01 so as to permit the upper end of the lift rod to yield thereby preventing damage to the Geneva dial and the bearing member in the event one of the cups becomes stuck during lifting.

Geneva dial auxiliary lock.In order to insure that during the life of the machine, the Geneva dial shall stop with the openings I00 in accurate registry with the feeding and inspection stations,

regardless of wear in the Geneva drive mechanism, there may optionally be provided a mechanism'shown in Figure 11. This consists of a lock rod I4I guided for vertical sliding movement in bushing fitted openings in ,table 22 and subtable 2I. The rodand openings are positioned I so as to engage openings I00 when in a position successive progressive movements, and this position is known as the cup insert station. Table 22, upon which the Geneva dial rests is bored out at this position and is fitted with a bushing I20 which is internally tapered as shown as I2I. Provision is made for lifting the cups into the Geneva dial openings as each pauses at the cup insert station and to accomplish this there is provided a lift rod generally designated I20 composed of a tip I20 which engages-the cup and a lower section I21, the two sections being accurately adjustable by threaded coupling I20. The lift rod is oscillated verticall in timed relationship to the movement of the injector I01, so as to lift;

immediately preceding the opening I00 in registry with the feeding station. In order to lift thelock rod periodically at each pause of the Geneva dial, the rod is provided at the lower end with a through slot I42 and into the slot there extends the free tip of operating lever I40. The lever I40 is pivotally mounted at I44 and carries a pin I40 upon which is rotatably mounted a cam follower roller I40, the latter being adapted to engage the lower face of a cam I4I keyed on the shaft IIO of the cup feed mechanisms previously described. The lever I48 is normally lifted by a tension spring I40 which serves to hold the roller I40 on the face of the cam I41 and yieldably to lift the pin I so that its upper tapered end is in engagement with the tapered lower portion of an opening I00 which is at that instant in registration with the locking pin. Thus, the Geneva dial may be positively locked by locking pin I, in addition to the locking function inherently provided in the Geneva movement by virtue of the 10 with the semi-circular openings 00. The elements of the Geneva'movement are subject to greater wear than that imposed on the locking rod MI and consequently in service, tend to lose the requisite accuracy. Therefore the locking rod improves the accuracy of the machine throughout periods of long service.

Rotatable cup supports in the Geneva dial.- Referring now to Figures 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14 particularly; as previously explained the inspection sequence includes a number of stations, at some of which provision-is made for rotating the cups K undergoing inspection. To facilitate rotations of the cups K. the openings I in the Geneva dial 10 are each provided with anti-friction bearings, preferably a ball bearing assembly, although a simple bronze bearing of the self lubricating type may also be used. In Figures 12, 13, 14, 16 and 20, the openings I00 are fitted with a ball bearing assembly having anouter race I5I and an inner race I52. The outer race is fitted into the Geneva dial and is locked in place with screws I53. The inner race I52 has cylindrical axial opening I55 counter-sunk at I54 to accommodate the rim K of the metal cup parts undergoing inspection as shown. Plain' bearings for this service are illustrated in Figures 3, 5 and 6.

The I55 inner wall of irmer race I52 (of either the plain or ball bearing type) is of a diameter such as to providea snug, but not a tight fit for the cups K. The outer race I5I is cut back at I5I' so as to provide clearance between it and the cups K. In this way, the cups K are mounted for easy rotation in the Geneva dial as required for certain of the inspection stations.

Cup spinner mechanism.- -The cup spinner mechanisms, provided at inspection stations 13, .C and D are identical and the description of one will therefore suffice for all. They are illustrated in Figures 1, 4, 7, 12, 13 and 14, particularly Figure 12. The spinner mechanism is generally designated I80 and includes a shaft I8I which is joumaled for rotation and for vertical oscillation. The upper journal consists of a sealed self lubricating ball bearing assembly I 82 which is held in place by retainer plate I83. Into the inner race I 84 of the bearing, there is pressed a sleeve I85, through which the shaft I8I is fitted so that it slides neatly. The lower end I86 of sleeve I85 is splined and receives a similarly splined portion I81 of collar I88, the collar being fastened to shaft I 8I by a set screw I89.

The lower bearing supporting shaft I8! is similar to the upper bearing and includes a lubricated and dirt sealed ball bearing race I90 held in place in an aperture in sub-table 2I by retaining plate I9I. Into the inner race I94 of the bearing,

there is pressed a sleeve I93 which is splined at bracket, generally designated 2I0, fastened to sub-table 2| bycap screws 2| I. The bracket has an upstanding post 2I2 carrying -.a through pin 2I3 which serves as a support for the retraction lever 2 I4, the latter being bifurcated as shown in there is threaded a pivot screw 2I6.which carries 'the lower end I95 so as to fit a correspondingly splined portion I96 of collar I91. The collar I91 is fastened to spinner shaft I8I by setscrew I 98. Since spinner shaft I 8| is slidably fitted in both sleeves I86 and I95, the shaft is free to move vertically while rotating in the bearings I82 and I90.

The shaft is constantly pressed upwardly by a spring 200 resting upon plate I9 I, the upper end of the spring 200 being abutted against a cup 20I which receives a ball thrust bearing. 203. The upper race of the ball thrust bearing bears against a collar 204 tightly fastened to shaft I8I by set screw 205. Hence spring 200 normally lifts the spinner shaft I8I to its highest position.

At each spinner station, there is provided a a cam roller 2 I1, the latter being adapted to bear against the cam surface 2 I 9' of flange 220, on the circular cam 22 I, best seen in Figure 3. The cam 22I is mounted coaxially upon constantly rotating gear 223 to which it is fastened by cap screws 225. Gear 223 in turn is joumaled on and held in place on sub-table 2| by flanged retaining collar 226 which is attached to sub-table 2| by cap screws 221.

The drive for gear 223 is shown in Figure 7 and is through idler gear 229, joumaled upon the hexheaded cap screw 230, and through gear .229

to constantly rotating gear 232 on'the Geneva drive shaft 14.

Referring again to Figure 12, the sleeve I extending downwardly from inner race I84 serves as amounting for gear 235 which is fastened to the sleeve by set screw 236. The gear 235 is additionally supported by bracket 231, fastened to table 22 by cap screws 238. An anti-friction washer 239 is provided between the gear 235 and ter spinner gear 240 and through it drives the other spinners.

Referring again to Figures 12, 13 and 14, the upper end of the spinner shaft I8I is drilled axially at 250 to receive the cup engager, generally designated 25I. lower ball end 252 which has a close, but free,

-fit in the drilled opening 250. The ball joint rests against the conical bottom 254 of the opening 250 and is free to move slightly. A pin 253 passes throughthe spinner shaft I8Iand ball end 252, the pin being loosely fitted in either One or the other so as not to restrict free movement of the cup engager 25I. The upper end of the cup engager has a pentagonal head 256 to fit, in this case the pentagonal primer cup openings K-I of the shot gun shell cups, the head 256 being smoothed off at 251 and provided with a flange 258 which defines the limits of sidewise movement within the bore 259 of table 22.

The cam 22I is provided with four lobes 2I9, three of which are shown in Figure 1. The size of gears 232, 229 and 223 are such that as gear 232 makes one turn, gear 223 (and hence cam 22I) will make one-fourth turn. The three inspecting stations utilizing the spinner mecha- The cup engager has a a,s1e,sso nism, namely stations B, C and D, are situated 60'apart ontheGenevadial (orOGenevadial spaces). Hence, as the Geneva dial 16 is advanced one space (1; revolution) by one turn of the Geneva drive shaft 16-16, gear 226 and cam 22I are moved one-fourth revolution. The cam lobes 2I6 are oriented with respect to the gear spinner stations, and the cams are of such a length. that as the Geneva dial stops, with the cups therein at the various inspection stations, the spinners are lifted so as to cause the cups to spin and the spinners are then retracted. All this occurs while the Geneva dial pauses.

Ejectina mechanism-Referring to Figurx 2 and 4, the upper end of the operating rod 66 is turned down as shown at 266 so as to leave a shoulder 266 upon which rests a circular operating head 261. The operating head 261 is held onto the rod 60 and againstthe shoulder by means of a hexagonal nut 266, and the head is prevented from rotating on the rod by the through pin 266. Thus, as the main operating shaft 26 rotates, and for each turn moves the Geneva dial 10 one space (fr revolution), it also moves the operating rod 60 and the operating head 261 up and down, once for each step of the Geneva dial, the Geneva dial being stationary during the down part of the stroke from the time that the head is part way down and until it is partly retracted on the upstroke.

The operating head carries a plurality of push down and reset rods 216, 21I, 212, 216, 216 and 216, and a plurality of reject rods 260. 26I, 262 and 266, and a discharge rod 266, these rods being located in the operating head 261 according to the plan shown in Figure 9. The rods are vertical and the mid part of each slides in an appropriately spaced hole in a guide plate 266, which is fastened to the sleeve Si by means of set screws 261. The push down and reset rods are each provided with a collar, as that shown upon rod 210, the collar being designated 2100. Between the collar and the operating head 261, there is provided a spring 210b, which maintains a uniform downward pressure upon the setting pin. The downward movementof each rod is limited by an adjustable clamp, such as that shown at 2100. The reject rods and discharge rod are provided at their upper ends with weighting collars such as that shown at 26Ia on the rod 26I. Between the collar and the operating head 261, there are interposed one or more buffer washers 26": of felt, leather or the like, which serves to cushion the contact of the rods when they are lifted by the operating head. Hence, for each rotation of the main operating shaft 26, there is an up and down movement of the vertical operating rod 50, the operating head 261, and all of the set,- re-set, rejecting and discharge rods, the movement of the-latter being vertically, guided by the guide plate 266.

Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4 upon the top of the bearing retaining plate "I, there rests a gate operating disc 266, which is attached flange of the spacing sleeve 266 and the center circle opening of the gate operating disc 266 so as to provide for free rotation.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, it will be observed that the gate operating disc 260 has a plurality of gate operating pins 266, and reset pins 261, there being 24 gate operating pins and 26 reset pins, one of each for each cup carrying aperture I00 in the Geneva dial 10. The vertical apertures in the gate operating disc 260, receive the gate operating pins 266 and the reset pins 261 and are so spaced that the gate operating pins 266 and reset pins 261 are on a radial line midway between successive cup carrying apertures I00 in the Geneva dial.

The gate operating pins 266 are cut away at 266a and the reset pins are similarly cut away at 261a to receive a rocker arm 266, which is pivoted at 606 on the head of-a vertically adjustable screw 60I, the screw being fitted with a lock nut 602. The rocker arm 266 has an upstanding arm 606 to which a biasing spring 606 is attached as shown in Figure 3. Adjacent each of the reset pins, there is a suitable screw 606. provided with a large washer 601 at its head which, abutting against the lower shoulder of the cut-away part 261a of the pin 261, serves to limit the upward movement of the reset pin 261.

It will thus be seen that the gate operating pin and reset pin are connected together for correlated movement. Thus, when the reset pin 261 is pushed downwardly, it pulls down on the rocker arm 266 until the upstanding arm 606 is over-center at which time the energy of the spring 606 will serve to snap the rocker arm 266 to the down reset position thereby simultaneously lifting the gate operating pin 266a. Likewise, when the gate operating pin is pushed down, it will, through the operating arm 266, effect an upward movement of the reset pin 261, the over-center arrangement of spring 606 and arm 666 again being eflective to maintain the established position.

There is one gate operating pin 266, one reset pin 261, and the accompanying rocker arm 266, etc., for each of the cup receiving apertures I66 in the Geneva dial, the reset pin, etc., for each cup being positioned 7 in advance of the cup I66 to which it appertains.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, it will be seen that the cups are inserted into the Geneva dial 16 at the "cup insert station" and the cups, thus successively loaded into the dial, begun their journey around through approximately one complete turn of the dial. The rotation is clockwise as viewed in Figures 8 and 9.

Considering the dial holes, as equivalent to the positions one hole successively assumes, the various stations and positions are as follows:

I66-I Cup insert station (also preparation for station A) m-z Inspect position station A I064 Reject and reset position station A l66-1 Preparation for station E I66-6 Inspect position station B III-6 Reject and reset position station B I60-I6 Inspect position station C Ill-I6 Reject and reset position station C l66-26 Inspect position station D l60-2I Reject and reset position station D I00-26 Discharge of satisfactory cups.

The inspection positions I00-2, I00-6, I00-I6 and I0026 are ninety degrees apart in dial 10. As previously described, at the "cup insert station shown in Figure 8, the cups K are lifted by the lift rod I26 until they are in place in the cup receiving apertures I09 of the Geneva dial 19. The lift rod I26 remains in place, under the influence of cam I32, until the Geneva dial begins its forward motion and the cup thus moving away from the insert opening l at is maintained in place in the opening W9 of the Geneva dial, in which it has been inserted. The table 22, in which the insert opening I25 is made, presents a solid bottom for the bottom of the cups except at the insert station BBB-l, reject stations soc-s, soc-s, loo-l5, lot-2i and at the discharge station loo-2s.

The reject gate mechanism of stations A, B, C and D are identical and are illustrated in Figures 4, 8 and 9. The gate mechanism includes a supporting block 308 which is fastened to the table 22 by means of cap screws 399. The block era has an overhanging portion 3m in which there is positioned a vertical pivot rod 3! l. Immediately below the overhanging portion 359, there is attached to the rod a gate operating lever M2, which is normally moved forwardly as shown in Figure 4 (clockwise as shown in Figure 9) by means of the biasing spring M3 upon arm did of the gate operating lever. The spring Sit thus imposes upon the lever M2 and upon the pivot rod 3! i a clockwise motion as viewed in Figure 9. The lower end of the pivot rod 3 is provided with a crank plate 3l5 having a crank pin 3E6 thereon which extends through the discharge gated. The discharge gate 3i? is pivoted at 388 and rests in a circumferential recess ate in the table 22, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5.-

The crank pin 356 is fitted loosely into a corresponding opening 3I6a. of the discharge gate 3H so as to permit operation of the gate when the pivot rod 3H (and hence the crank plate 3l5) are rotated. The recess 3l9 in the table 22 is cut away, as shown at 32 i, so that normally the discharge gate 3H overlies a portion fit each reject openings (positions) in the table 22 below positions EMF-3, Hill-9, I99l5 and Mill-ii. Thus, as the Geneva dial moves over a particular reject station, the cup K in the opening it!!! of the Geneva dial is supported only by the reject gate 3H and does not drop through the discharge opening. However, when the gate 3i! is moved to the open or rejecting position, as shown for station B in Figure 9, it is possible for the cup to be pushed downwardly into the discharge chute 323 (see Figure 4) The gate operating lever M2 on each of the pivot shafts 3 extends to a position directly over the discharge opening, and the tip 3l2a of the lever extends in the path of movement of the operating pins 296 carried by the gate operating disc 290. This is best illustrated in Figures 4, and 6. The gate operating lever, being thus in the path of movement of the operating pins 299, can be moved by the pin to the reject position (as illustrated for station B) in the event the operating pin 296 is in the down or reject position. Whenever a pin, corresponding to aparticular opening Hill, is in the down or reject position and has operated arm BIZ and gate 3W, then upon downward movement of the operating head 267 and the reject rod 280, 28!, 282 or 283 of that station, carried by the head moves downwardly and strikes the cup, which being unsupported by the discharge gate is knocked out of the opening H in dial l0, and into the discharge chute 323.

Stations A and B are similar in their operations, but difier from stations C and D which in turn are, similar in their operation. Hence a description will be made of the type'of mechanism at stations A and B and the type of mechanism at stations C and D.

Stations A and B.Referring to Figure 9, station A. The operating pins 296 and reset pins 297, together with their rocker arm 298, are indicated in three successive positions, namely: Position P (preparation for the inspection position), position I (at the inspection position), and position R (at the reject position). As the cup K is raised into the Geneva dial at the insert station, the operating pins 296, reset pin 29! and rocker arm 298 corresponding thereto are l ahead of the opening we and are at position P. In this position, there is located a push down rod m which contacts with the operating pin 29% as the head 267i descends, and moves the pin 29% downwardly to a position such that, ifnot retracted, it will operate the discharge gate for station A when the Geneva dial NJ is moved forwardly two steps. This preparatory operation of, pushing down the operating'pin 296 does not, in itself, insure ejecting'operation, since at the next or inspection position I, the operating pin 296 may be reset to non-ejecting position, depending upon operation of the inspecting apparatus- The inspection is carried out photo-electrically, as hereinafter described, and in the event the cup is satisfactory an electrical impulse is sent through an operating solenoid 359. The solenoid, when operated, draws its core downwardly and the protruding extension on the core strikes the reset pin 29?, which is then directly beneath 3l2, consequently opening the gate 3 l 1 and allowing the reject rod 28!) (carried by head 26'!) to pass downwardly and reject the cup. If the operating pin 296 is in the up position (having been moved to such position by the operation of solenoid 35% when the inspection shows the cup K to be satisfactory) the pin 298 clears the tip 3l2a of the gate operating lever 3 I2 and the discharge of the cup will not occur.

At position R of station A, there is also provided a reset rod 2H, which is positioned so as to push downwardly on reset pins 291 as they come below it. Assuming the operating pin 296 to have been left down at the inspection step (due to the fact that solenoid 350 was not energized thus indicating a bad cup), the pin 296 engages the tip 3I2a of-the gate operating lever 3I2 consequently moving the lever to the cup rejecting position (as illustrated at station B). On the down stroke of the operating head 261, the discharge rod 280, being thus free to move downwardly, clears the operating lever 3 l2, passes downwardly as shown in Figure 6, discharging the cup K. The adjustment of thelength of the ejecter rod 280 and that of the reset rod 2'" is made such that the lower tip of the reject rod 280 passes downwardly below the level of the gate operating lever 3I2 prior to the time that reset rod 2' engages the reset pin 291. Hence, when the pin 29? is pushed downwardly as shown in Figure 6 (with the consequent raising of the operating pin 296), the gate operating lever 3l2 will move under the influence oi the biasing spring 3" into engagement with the reject rod 2". Then as the operating head 261 is again raised, the lower end the reject rod 299 clears the gate operating lever 3l2 which then moves the gate M1 to the closed position.

The reset rod 21! at station A pushes down upon each reset pin 291 which comes beneath it. It is understood, oi course, that most oi. the pins 291 are already down having been pushed down by the operation of solenoid 350 for satisfactory cups. It is only when a cup is unflt and is rejected that resetting is necessary. The pins 291, leaving station A, remain reset until they reach the preparation position P of inspection station B at which time the push down rod 212 above the operating pins 296 causes the downward movement of said operating pins with consequent lifting of the reset pins 291. The sequence of operation through station B then ensues identically with that of stationA except that the photo-electric inspection is responsive to a dit- (erent type of defect, as will hereinafter be described.

Stations C and D.Tliese stepsare of the type wherein the operating pins 296 remain up until pushed down by the operation of solenoids 352 (or 353) at the inspecting positions of these stations. For example, if a cup is defective at the inspection position I of station C, the solenoid 352 is energized with consequent actuation downward of the operating pin 296 and movement upward of the reset pin 291. Then as the Geneva dial and gate operating disc 296, and all the mechanisms thereon are moved another step to the reject position R of stationC, the pin 295, when set downwardly engages the tip 3i2a of the gate operating lever 3l2, operates the gate 311 and permits discharge of the cup by the reject rod 262. As the gate operating lever 3i2 has been moved out 01' the path of the discharge rod 262, the rodmoves downwardly as the head 261 descends, and ejects the defective cup. Then with further downward movement of the head 261, the rod 214 strikes upon the top of reset. pin 291, raises the operating pin 296, releases lever 3l2, which then move under influence of spring 3l3 into engagement with the then down reject rod 262. As the operating head 261 again moves upwardly, the tip or the rod 262 clears the gate operating lever 3 l 2, permits it to move under the influence of sp ng and the Kate 3" 0 Sta tion C closes. At the reset position R of station C, all of the reset pins 291, which may be up, are pushed downwardly thereby leaving each of the operating pins 295, corresponding to each open ing I66, in the up position for actuation solenoid 353 at station D.

The operation of station D is identical with station C, except that the photo-electric mechanism, as hereinafter described, is responsive .to defects in a different portion of the cup.

Solenoids.--The guide plate 266 in addition to serving as the guides for the reject rods 260-263, discharge rod 269, and the set and reset rods 210-215 also serves to support a plurality of solenoids 350, 35l, 352 and 353, which are positioned as shown by the dotted lines in the plan view 01 Figure 9. The solenoids are identical and therefore the description of one of them will sumce for all.

As shown in Figure 4, the solenoids are mounted on a bracket 355, which hangs downwardly from the lower surface of the guide plate 265. The

by the solenoid winding 359 is oi the direct current type adequately insulated and is wound up a w tube 351. The solenoid core 359 01' magnetic material has iastened thereto a downwardly extending rod 359 or brass or other non-magnetic material. The cone 359-359 is mounted for vertical oscillation and is normally biased upwardly by means or spring 369 which is attached to an adjustment screw 39l. When energized with direct current, the solenoid core 359-359 is drawn downwardly-and strikes the reset pm 291 (stations A and B), or the operating pin 296 (stations C and D). It may be noted that the solenoids 359 and "I at the inspecting positions of stations A and B respectively, push down upon the reset pins 291 and do so for every satisfactory cup which is inspected at these stations, whereas the solenoids 352 and 353 at stations C and D respectively, are positioned so as to push down upon the operating pin 296 and do so only for such cups as inspection proves to be unsatisdactory.

Photo-cells and light sources.-At station A, the photo-cell and the light source for carrying out the inspection are positioned as shown in Figure 16. The light source, generally designated 325, is mounted in a housing 326 and includes a high candle power concentrated filament lamp bulb 321. The housing includes a condensing and focusing lens system 326 and the housing 326 is mounted upon the guide plate 266 in the position shown in Figures 8 and 9 immediately above cup carrying hole IO-2 corresponding to the inspection position I at station A. The light opening Kl of cup K (Figure 16), and so as to pass directly downwardly through the hole. The.

cup K is punched with hole K-i at the bottom for receiving the primer cap of a shotgun shell. The opening Kl is polygonal here, and normally the .tips K2 project directly into the cup. When such is the case, a sufllcient quantity of light passes through the opening to operate the photo-electric system. When the cup is not punched or if .the tips are bent, the quantity of light passing through the'opening is insumclent to operate the photo-electric system. Beneath the table 22, there is positioned a photo-electric unit, generally designated 330, containing a photo-electric cell "I mounted in a suitable manner within the shell 329. The unit is provided with an adjustable light collecting lens 332, which serves to concentrate the collected light upon the photo-electric cell 33l within the unit. Where the light transmitted through the opening K-l is of suflicient quantity, the photoelectric cell is activated and by means or an amplifying circuit, hereinafter described, eilects an energization o! solenoid 356 (inspection positon I of station A) thereb operating the solenoid to push the reset pm 291 downwardly and lifting the operating pin 296 so as to permit the cup there undergoing inspection to be passed at the reject position B.

At stations B, C and D, the light source units and the photo-electric cell units are substantially the same as those used at station A, except that they are mounted above table 22 on suitable adjustable brackets as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, and the light sources of stations B, C and D are each provided with a slight marking aperture so that the light is projected in a thin flat beam as more fully explained hereinafter.

The arrangement or the light source and photo-electric cell of station B is shown schematical- 

